Near Sharpsburg in Washington County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Heaps Upon Heaps Were There in Death's Embrace

By Craig Swain, July 5, 2009

1. Heaps Upon Heaps Were There in Death's Embrace Marker

Inscription.
Confederate Soldier in the 3rd Alabama Infantry

(1) Within the first few hours of the battle, Gen. D.H. Hill sent more than half of his 5,000 soldiers to reinforce the northern end of the Confederate line. Of the two brigades that remained in the lane, one was commanded by Gen. Robert Rodes and the other by Gen. G.B. Anderson. Combined, they numbered about 2,200 men.

(2) The first Federal soldiers to attack the Sunken Road were Gen. William H. French's troops. At approximately 9:30 a.m., these men crested the ridges just in front of the Sunken Road, and the bloody work began. French had close to 5,000 men under his command.

(3) About 10:30 a.m. Gen. Israel Richardson's division, led by the famous Irish Brigade, advanced and added over 4,000 soldiers to a Union attack where "the missiles of death were flying so thickly."

(4) Some 3,800 Confederate reinforcements, under Gen. Richard H. Anderson, attempted to strengthen the line in the road, but were unsuccessful. Near 1:00 p.m., Richardson's men broke through and captured the Sunken Road. As the Confederates retreated, one soldier remembered that "the minnie balls, shot and shell rained upon us from every direction except the rear."

Some of the Federal troops were able to continue south to the Piper Farm, but were driven back by a

By Craig Swain, July 5, 2009

2. Battle Map

desperate Confederate stand. When the fighting ended, over 5,000 soldiers had been killed or wounded. Neither side gained a decisive advantage.

During the fighting around the Sunken Road, two generals fell mortally wounded. Confederate Gen. George B. Anderson was shot in the ankle and died from infection a month after the battle. After the Sunken Road had fallen, Union Gen. Israel Richardson was hit by a fragment of an artillery shell. He died at the Pry House in early November 1862.

Battle for a Farm Lane
Approximate Time of Action: 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Approximate Number of Casualties for Each Army
Union Army of the Potomac 2,900 killed, wounded, missing

Confederate Army of Northern Virginia
2,500 killed, wounded, missing

Erected 2009 by Antietam National Battlefield - National Park Service - U.S. Department of the Interior.

Location. 39° 28.259′ N, 77° 44.36′ W. Marker is near Sharpsburg, Maryland, in Washington County. Marker is on Bloody Lane, on the left when traveling east. Touch for map. Located at the Sunken Road overlook stop. Marker is in this post office area: Sharpsburg MD 21782, United States of America.

More about this marker. In the left center is a map showing the actions described in the text, referenced by paragraph number. In the right center are portraits of Gens. G.B. Anderson and Israel Richardson. At the bottom is a photo of a rail fence section. This shot riddled section of fence rail is said to have been found at Bloody Lane.

Also see . . . 1. Antietam Battlefield. National Park Service site. (Submitted on July 11, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)

This entry replaced a previous marker located at the same spot. The old marker is linked here. (Submitted on September 21, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)

3. George B. Anderson. George Burgwyn Anderson (April 12, 1831 – October 16, 1862) was a career military officer, serving first in the antebellum U.S. Army and then dying from wounds inflicted during the American Civil War while a general officer in the Confederate Army. He was among six generals killed or mortally wounded at the Battle of Antietam in September 1862. (Submitted on September 27, 2015, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.)

4. Israel B. Richardson. Israel Bush Richardson (December 26, 1815 – November 3, 1862) was a United States Army officer during the Mexican-American War and American Civil War, where he was a major general in the Union Army. Nicknamed "Fighting Dick" for his prowess on the battlefield, he was mortally wounded at the Battle of Antietam near Sharpsburg, Maryland. (Submitted on September 27, 2015, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.)

During the fighting around the Sunken Road, two generals fell mortally wounded. Confederate Gen. George B. Anderson (left) was shot in the ankle and died from infection a month after the battle. After the Sunken Road had fallen, Union Gen. Israel Richardson (right) was hit by a fragment of an artillery shell. He died at the Pry House in early November 1862.

By Craig Swain

6. New Wayside at the Sunken Road Overlook

The observation stop wall was constructed in 1967 by the Harpers Ferry Job Corps, Conservation Center.

By Brian Scott, September 19, 2015

7. Heaps Upon Heaps Were There in Death's Embrace Marker and Wayside

By Brian Scott, September 19, 2015

8. Heaps Upon Heaps Were There in Death's Embrace Marker Looking East Towards the Observation Tower

By Brian Scott

9. Brig. General George B. Anderson (1831-1862)

During the Battle of Antietam, Anderson's North Carolinians defended a portion of the Sunken Road (known as "Bloody Lane") against repeated Union attacks. A Miniť ball struck Anderson near his ankle, injuring it badly. Anderson was transported to Shepherdstown and then by wagon up the Shenandoah Valley to Staunton, Virginia, to recuperate. He was eventually shipped by train to Raleigh, North Carolina, where he died following surgery to amputate the infected foot.

By Brian Scott

10. Major General Israel B. Richardson (1815-1862)

Richardson was treated at a field hospital. His wound was not considered life-threatening, and he was given a room in Maj. Gen. George B. McClellan's headquarters, the Pry House. President Abraham Lincoln paid his respects to the wounded Richardson during a visit to the battlefield in October. However, infection set in, and then pneumonia, which claimed the life of the popular general in early November.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. This page originally submitted on July 11, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 956 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on July 11, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 4, 5. submitted on September 27, 2015, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina. 6. submitted on July 11, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 7, 8, 9, 10. submitted on September 27, 2015, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.